4 Reasons You Should Try Macro Photography

[@MicaelWidell]

Thanks for watching! Also find me in these places: 💌 newsletter: mwroll.com 🌄 instagram: instagram.com/mwroll 🎖patreon: patreon.com/micaelwidell 🐦 twitter: twitter.com/micaelwidell 💬 discord: bit.ly/widelldiscord macro lens buying guide: lensguide.micaelwidell.com

[@Alexander0189]

The biggest thing I LOVE about macro is seeing things the human eye simply cannot see. The variance and beauty of the world around us just absolutely epic!

[@MicaelWidell]

This is a big one! Most people have no idea what stuff looks like at high magnification :)

[@curlywurly2204]

Me too!! It's like being in a different world 🥰

[@justnoted2995]

Yeah, and thank God the Creator for all of the species and variations thereof

[@GertSpierenburg]

Very true!

[@tartineboy41]

The thing i love about macro is the award you get from observation, then calm, then technique, then patience

[@groundcontrol6876]

It just comes naturally to me. I've always been drawn to it ever since I took my first few pics when I was a kid.

[@wandering.camera.guy.411]

Great video, I love 1) seeing the details I just can see normally 2) the equipment needed for great photography isn't that expensive 3) the equipment is relatively small and lightweight

[@MicaelWidell]

Thank you 😊

[@dvorec]

Macro photography is an absolute lifestyle. It is a passion, a drug and a great joy. Thanks for your videos

[@DaveMuller]

I love how chill and relaxing your videos are. Thanks again for a lovely walk and view of some little things.

[@kathyteague829]

I agree! Macro is so much more fun than shooting birds, which used to be my passion. 😊

[@danncorbit3623]

I am getting more and more interested in macro photography. I just bought a nice Tokina AT-X Pro D 100mm F/2.8 Macro Lens for Canon EF to use on my 5DS. I have found that something I really like is to take macro pictures of my cat. I like this for two reasons. The first is that she really likes to get right up in my face and push her wet nose on me, even on my closed eyelids. For this reason, the images I take often mimic what I see. Another reason is that the images are magified more than you eye can perceive. So, for instance, here stiff facial hairs on her nose look almost like porcupine quills when magnified. Flowers and insects are equally interesting because it is almost like using a microscope and you see things you did not see with your eye. Thanks for all your nice macro tips. Your videos are also fun to watch.

[@connorcrowe7892]

I absolutely love your videos! When I first started getting into macro I felt so overwhelmed by the technicality of getting the shot and how to do it “perfectly”. But what I have realized is that just going out, finding new insects, and having fun doing it trumps any “perfect photo”. I love that I can go on a walk just down the street and find so many things I never thought I could see. Your videos really just excite me and inspire to go outside and explore, thank you!

[@MicaelWidell]

Thank you for the comment :) Yeah the obsession with the perfect photo was something I had as well in the beginning. As you say, better to just enjoy the process, and nicer and nicer photos will come along the way.

[@maygelgawal6637]

True..it's addictive and it feels like insane🤣

[@hjones451]

The orange bug on the white flower is called a 'Soldier Beetle' in the UK

[@dr.jalil.photography]

I have almost seen all your youtube videos and read carefully your magazine sent to me through gmail. You are my mentor in this field of photography. I am sharing this video in my facebook page to inspire others in my contact.

[@MicaelWidell]

Happy to hear that. Thanks for watching and sharing my videos :)

[@kencolson8387]

Great video. Thank you. I think one of the best parts of your videos is that you really are having fun. It makes these videos a pleasure to watch. And the photos are nice too. 😀

[@MicaelWidell]

I’m happy it shows. Sometimes I think I come off as boring and bored 😅

[@photorockbar471]

We use the Nikon 60mm micro 2.8 often. Very sharp. For macro you will need to use a tripod as the focusing can get out of focus easily. We use the digital zoom focusing feature to nail the focusing area. You can also get a similar macro image with a 50mm lens combined with close-up filters. Comparing images from both setups yields almost identical images.

[@ForrestWest]

Out today with the R7 and a speedlight and diffuser. The R6 and R7 can do focus brackets and the R7 can create a focus stack from the bracketed shots in camera. Great tools for macro!

[@CamilaPereira-lw6bg]

🫶📷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷 o melhor canal de macrografia que encontrei...embora não entenda nada em inglês a legenda me ajuda muito!.

[@rawumber2098]

excellent work, inspiring as well. thank you for an alternative look at the world. we each need to be able to change our perspective to truly understand...

[@mycoinchannel4713]

I have good experiences with the Novoflex blitz grip, on which I mount the flash with diffuser. I trigger with a flash cable. I have no trouble getting close enough to the subject. The construction is somewhat bulky, but has proven itself very well in practice.

[@xinqiwang3301]

Endless inspirations under macro scope.

[@PTCX]

Like you I love the unexpected finds when I'm on photo walks.Recently while photographing a flower I found a tiny spider inside the flower and got some nice shots of that.I also like the challenge macro presents sometimes. Great shots as usual Micael,I love the shots of the wasp at the window,beautiful.

[@mazer4112]

Thank you so much. Watched this twice since I missed the jumping spiders (I love them, they are the puppy dogs of the spider world).

[@justnoted2995]

Thank you Micael for a great and relaxing video. It seems like macro-photography is both exciting and relaxing... it also helps if you have a kinda phlegmatic personality. Those houses there seem to be holiday homes, also providing home for the critter families

[@MicaelWidell]

Glad you enjoyed it! Actually this is the place where I grew up. The various houses have different purposes :) Two of them are for living, other ones are garages, workshops, storage etc.

[@IanWilkinson]

So much of what you show in this video (including the many of the same insects) is exactly how I go about my own macro shooting in our back garden. That's why I like watching your channel so much! By the way, @ 03:07 it's definitely not a shield bug - I think it's a Common Red Soldier Beetle - _Rhagonycha fulva_ ;-)

[@MicaelWidell]

Haha yes sorry I used the wrong word.

[@SinaFarhat]

Så trevligt vara med på en utflykt och att höra dina tankar och se slutresultatet! :) Ha en fin sommar!

[@botanicaltreasures2408]

I totally agree that macro photography is an ideal lunch break hobby. I used to take a walk every noon looking for bees, other bugs, or flowers to brighten my husband’s day. “A bug a day keeps the doldrums away.” 🪲

[@marklaurendet1861]

Forgot to add, I am going to try those new Godox diffusers the dome and recangle one made of silicone. Just waiting for them to be available in Australia

[@josevera8847]

You make me laugh, when the Jumping refuse your flower. That is photography. I enjoy your video.

[@Veptis]

You made me want to try it again. While I don't have a dedicated macro lens, there are quite a few lenses in my collection and with a bit of adapting, stacking or reversing I should have something kinda working to try. Over the years of, I have narrowed down my photography to only ever do one thing and nothing more. No experimenting as well. I wonder if it's possible with thermal cameras, perhaps if I had some small targets with interesting surface temperature. People have crafted solutions for looking at small electronics, and I do have some of those lens elements.

[@MicaelWidell]

Let me know if you get interesting results with a thermal camera!

[@mazer4112]

What if you use the reflector and cut it to shape??

[@BugbugAdventures]

Have been binging your videos whilst at work :D

[@MicaelWidell]

Happy to hear that :) Do you have a favorite so far?

[@artsergo]

...Сейчас у меня новая система nikon Z6, и есть возможность переключиться в фотоаппарате на режим DX съёмки, и на время, сделал из полного кадра aps-систему, кроп. По крайней мере на момент съёмки макро. Однако, я пытаюсь понять как лучше настраивать Nikon Z6 под макро фотографию.

[@smkunder1]

Really enjoying your videos, I am having a hard enough time getting one photo in focus, so trying a handheld focus stack seems like a very difficult task.

[@MicaelWidell]

One step at a time! I also had a hard time getting one photo in focus in the beginning :) Keep practicing and have fun.

[@artsergo]

привет! отличное видео! сам люблю макро и супермакро. но я не профессионал, любитель, это у меня как хобби. снимал ранее на Nikon D7000 + макро рельсы старые производства СССР, так же использовал реверсивные кольца и макрокольца. Из линз использовал обычный Nikkor AF 50mm f1.8D, старый мануальный Nikkor MF 28mm f2, Helios 44-2 58mm f2. Съёмка в мануальном режиме, мануальной фокусировке и баланс белого делал "по образцу средне-серому". Использовал накамерную вспышку с листом белой бумаги.

[@toykellie3]

How do you focus stack with manual lens? Is it better to have an AF lens? Thank you

[@ChillerWithAShisha]

Love your videos :) greetings from germany

[@marklaurendet1861]

I purchased the pope shield as well. It has nice diffusion but no good around plants, only good for out in the open shots on top of logs etc. I may contact him and ask if one can be made with less of an angle?

[@Gamehighlight2023]

I waaannt because I love macro but, what lens is the best and camera ??

[@methodical100]

I ordered the 90mm probably 2 weeks ago now but because it is in such high demand according to Laowa i might not get it until August some time.

[@taair6270]

Hi really interesting video but what is “focus magnification” Not heard of this could you please clarify thanks

[@MicaelWidell]

I means you can zoom in on a small part of the middle of your photo in the viewfinder as you are composing the shot, to see whether it is in focus or not. Then just press the shutter when this small part is sharp.

[@taair6270]

@@MicaelWidell Hi my macro lens is the 60mm Olympus lens it doesn’t have a zoom function.

[@LAMProductions99]

@@taair6270 It's a feature of the camera rather than the lens. I'm not familiar with many camera systems, but if your camera does have that feature then there will most likely be a magnifying glass icon either on the screen or on the camera controls to indicate how to activate the feature.

[@danielenobile7859]

I honestly don't understand how this is possible. I have been doing macro photography for years with various canon cameras (450D 40D and 60D). Used Sigma 150 F2.8 and Canon 60 F2.8 lenses both not stabilized... My number one problem has always been being able to get close without the bugs escaping. The second problem is focusing without having the subject perfectly still. Just a little movement is enough to constantly lose focus. Never managed to do anything good with a camera held in one hand trying to hold the stem with the other ... Third problem is the light. If I shoot with the flash, even shielded, I don't like the light I get if I shoot without flash in hours of intense light, insects always have many bright points of light that are annoying to see To get good results I have always struggled with: wind, light and insect volatility. I have always used the tripod (with all the difficulties it presents) to avoid blur and perfect focus. In order not to have the glitter on the subjects I have always used the morning or sunset light which however creates noise problems due to high ISO due to the aperture closed to F11e more. In short, really a madhouse. This is not to say that in the end I still didn't get many great photos that I also posted on 500Px but at the cost of a lot of effort and frustration. So much so that now, after ten years of macro, I have switched to bird photography. Yet now your videos are teasing me. I'll try to dust off my macro 150 on the R5 and follow your advice ...

[@MicaelWidell]

Most of the problems you are describing are things we encounter in macro, and I have made many videos to help with them :) Go look through my older videos and hopefulle you can get inspired to give macro another chance

[@danielenobile7859]

@@MicaelWidell By the way, I share every word about your thoughts on why it's great to do macro photography! These are the same considerations that I made 15 years ago around landscape or street photography. The macro always gives a lot of satisfaction and surprises. I will definitely watch all your videos to get another take on this beautiful branch of photography. Thank you

[@ameerahamed4483]

Nice collection i know it’s very difficult but your doing more in future thanking you

[@woodguy1962]

Great video!! Which diffuser re you using and how dose it attached to the lens?? Thank you and have a great day!

[@MicaelWidell]

I always write what products I use in the video description of each video

[@ronmaliepaardnl]

Motivating video!

[@Phantomias7]

2:59 that's a soldier beetle ;) i get what you meant by shield bug, just know that this term usually refers to the stink bugs.

[@MicaelWidell]

Ah you are completely right about my misuse of shield bug :) thanks!

[@AndreMonz]

Hello Micael! Great work as always. Have you thought about photographing water critters like daphnias or mosquito larvae? That would make a good macro video. Greetings

[@MicaelWidell]

Yes I made an ecosphere (see the video) and hope to do more of these things :)

[@AndreMonz]

@@MicaelWidell thank you for your reply! Definitely will check it out.

[@eze3572]

Great video! Being out in nature and surrounded by life thats hard to see makes me feel the most at peace..you’ve got me wanting a drone now.. any suggestions on which to get?

[@MicaelWidell]

There are so many and it is a pretty complex decision. I currently use the iFlight A75 hd which is very small and fun to use.

[@suziebougie363]

How do you hold your camera still with one hand? I have problems with two hands 😀

[@MicaelWidell]

This is actually a great subject for a whole video. Thank you for the idea :) Bur basically rest your elbows on your legs, and hold the subject as well as the camera for maximum stability. Look how I do it in the video.

[@Doogsay]

Micael PLEASE help! I have an A7iv and love your work. When you are focus stacking do you have some kind of bracket setting on the SONY or do you take 4-5 photos of each insect and physically turn the focus ring for each one?

[@MicaelWidell]

Search my name and “handheld stacking”. I have a video where I show you. Basically I just move the camera slightly as I take 5-10 photos in a quick succession. Then I put them together in Photoshop.

[@Doogsay]

@@MicaelWidell ok but does it matter that you are moving slightly for each frame? Photoshop can stack ok? Obviously the 25mm that i have (because of your vids) is very sensitive to movement.

[@AndrewJacksonSE]

svartvinbär = blackcurrants, rödavinbär = redcurrants. Popular in the UK. Not generally grown in the US (in fact blackcurrants were banned as an invasive species in most of the US).

[@MicaelWidell]

Oh I didn't know they don't have them in the US!

[@krstoboskovic1630]

since I am a beginner and a lover of macro photography, please tell me if this is a good choice of flash for macro photography-Godox V860III TTL Li-Ion for Canon

[@MicaelWidell]

yes that flash will be great for macro

[@krstoboskovic1630]

@@MicaelWidell thanks for the advice and answer

[@justme.9711]

before I even watch the video. What lens/set up did you use to get the thumb nail pick at the start?

[@MicaelWidell]

The stuff in the video description

[@theflavourist1985]

Using Focus magnification on 2:1 is more than challgening, to say the least^^

[@MicaelWidell]

Haha yes it requires some patience!

[@paulvalerio3887]

Hi Michael! The crab spider was my favorite!! Nice Work! I have a question. I’ve looked through your library of videos for a tutorial on “how to shoot for a focus stacked image” and can’t find one. I understand the editing and post part. When you take several shots for a stack do you move the subject, camera or change the focus ring? If I’ve overlooked a video for this please let me know it’s publish date & title. Thank You!! 😊

[@MicaelWidell]

When doing handheld insect stacks with live insects, I move the camera. Easiest thing is to rest the lens on your hand, while hold the insect or the leaf with the insect on it in that hand. Then just carefully twist the hand while taking photos. I talk a little about it in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKa9kH2mqdGkj6c (also check the videos in this playlist)

[@paulvalerio3887]

@@MicaelWidell THANK YOU very much Michael! I appreciate it!!

[@globalfunseeker6733]

MIcael, have you ever thought of using a monopod? I can't believe you get pictures this sharp hand-holding the camera. I'm also surprised the insects cooperate the way they do. I've never been that lucky.

[@MicaelWidell]

A monopod would just slow me down and make it less fun. But sure it could probably help somewhat in certain situations. I have many videos about the questions you raise - please browse around in my older videos. For example this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYC5maZqe9iXoLM

[@gregpruitt1647]

What kind of diffuser is that on the front of the lens?

[@MicaelWidell]

pope Shield

[@marvinspates924]

Hi I enjoyed your video! I am a landscape photographer! Wildlife photographer, and a macro photographer! Hahaha I always have something to photograph. I have been shooting around midday and using a defuser to soften the light for macro. That works ok. But later in the day there's not a lot of light. So I'm thinking of getting the Godox 685 with the transmitter for off camera flash. I want to use a defuser globe like you use in some of your other videos. Which is better the off camera or the setup you used in this video????? The setup used in this video seams a little awkward to use!

[@MicaelWidell]

No setup is better than the other, they are just a little different. I enjoy switching between them to get some variation in my life :)

[@marvinspates924]

Thank you so much for your help!👍

[@bhalchandrakapatkar1710]

👍👍 thanks 👍👍

[@p1pepper]

I need to figure out why depth of field is so shallow . How some get single frame shots with decent DOF is beyond me . I'm shooting full frame , Sigma 105 macro at 1:1 . Razor thin DOF at f14-16 .

[@MicaelWidell]

Everyone is limited in the same way. At high magnification DOF is only decided by the magnification and aperture. What you need to do well is to align the focal plane in a way that makes it look deeper than it is.

[@p1pepper]

@@MicaelWidell Yep - still seeing larger DOF on single exposure shots from others shooting at same f stop . Thinking it's just their camera/lens combo performing differently . Never ending quest !

[@MrKreweesti]

Great video Michael! What flash settings you use? Just normal TTL or manual?

[@MicaelWidell]

Thanks 😊 Manual. See my macro settings video for details!

[@niclasholst7941]

Hi Micael,thanks for an interesting video,do you have a focus stacking feature in the camera or do you move your body or turn focus ring when you do hand held focus stacking?

[@MicaelWidell]

I set the focus to a fixed point and then move the lens as I am taking the photos for the stack. Check this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKnbdWCjiMSAm9E

[@niclasholst7941]

@@MicaelWidell Ok thanks Micael

[@larrysilsbee7827]

The red bug at 3:30 is a soldier beetle 😀

[@highwayman1224]

Took some great pictures of a white crab spider on one of my bushes in the front yard this morning. I can't believe I actually saw it.

[@artsergo]

3:31 👍

[@Xirpzy]

Any good flash/speedlite you would recommend for a canon camera?

[@MicaelWidell]

See my video about Meike mk320. I like it.

[@hdrsmit]

very interesting and informative....as usual 🙂 btw, with this type of outdoor light, did you need to change your flash power very often ?

[@MicaelWidell]

Often i can use the same power the whole photo walk. But sometimes i nere to change it one stop up or down if the sun comes out or if i walk into a dark forest.

[@greggnelson5665]

@@MicaelWidell where did you get the diffuser that mounts on the lens?

[@bencoles2462]

Hi Micael, Loving your content so far! Thanks for inspiring me to get into macro photography. My first dedicated lens is arriving next week. I'm definitely addicted Would you ever be interested in hosting macro photography competitions on your channel? I thought it would be a cool way to get people coming back to your channel, and would be a great way for new and experienced photographers to share content and have it judged

[@MicaelWidell]

I have thought about making a competition actually! The reason I haven't done it earlier is because of time constraint, but now from August and going forward there should be more time, especially in the Swedish winter where I will not have as much outdoors stuff to do :) Stay tuned.

[@bencoles2462]

@@MicaelWidell looking forward to it!

[@artsergo]

В яркий солнечный день, насекомые оч пугливы, и по личному опыту знаю, как они боятся и моментально реагируют на перемещающиеся большие объекты, например человека, а так же большие участки тени которые над ними быстро нависают это их тоже пугает. Поэтому когда особенно активно снимал макрофотографию, я выработал навыки и поведения с насекомыми. Сформировалось очень очень медленные еле заметные движения, настолько медленные что это похоже по тактике на охоту леопарда или дикой кошки, которая крадется к добыче и делает это настолько медленно, по скорости как облака плывут по нему. В целом, на такие медлительные движения и бабочки, и стрекозы, и жуки реагируют относительно спокойно. Они как бы относительно не подвижны. Так двигаться оч тяжело, потому что устают и ноги и руки и тело, однако результаты могут того стоит, главное не торопить события. Одним словом - все это тактика фото-охоты )

[@kit.e6864]

how do get close to wasps and bees without getting stung?

[@MicaelWidell]

Just be careful. I’ve never gotten stung. Maybe I’ve been lucky

[@Alexander0189]

Do you prefer the pope shield to the durr?

[@MicaelWidell]

Hard question. They complement each other. The pope shield gives slightly nicer looking photos, but the DÖRR is more flexible (literally) and enables more photos to be taken.

[@Alexander0189]

@@MicaelWidell Thanks Micael ☺ I have just gotten one similar to the durr so I'm gonna try it out! 85mm laowa coming tomorrow 😁 and i orderes the mk320 flash too!

[@hans6304]

There's a one of a kind dinosaur butterfly on @14:42 and you missed it.

[@MicaelWidell]

😅

[@samsen3965]

The absolute take-home lesson of this clip: 6:09

[@MrQlife]

“This thing” is Fennel 😉

[@MicaelWidell]

😄

[@MrQlife]

@@MicaelWidell I thought it, together with a selection of other flowers, would bring lots of butterflies to my garden but I have never seen less butterflies than this year 🙁

[@mousse4444]

I'm just starting in macrophotography but now I'm really depressed because you say that it takes 10 years to learn it well.

[@MicaelWidell]

Hehe. You can take very nice photos already after 1 year. After 10 years you will be a master :)

[@FloBuf80]

I just got 85 mm from laowa today, after using it with Sony A7 III about 30-40 mins i tried to take it out and it s stuck, cant take it Off the camera, it wont budge, any ideea what could be? Did it happend to you?

[@MicaelWidell]

Hmm strange. Never happened to me with any lens. I don’t know how to solve it I’m afraid.

[@FloBuf80]

@@MicaelWidell thx for the answer, is ok now i fixed the problem , i'm still learning about macro, keep it up man, you do a great job, a pleasure watching your videos

[@MicaelWidell]

@@FloBuf80 Thank you! Out of curiosity, what was the problem?

[@FloBuf80]

@@MicaelWidell sorry for the replying so late ,something with the release button ,now is working as it should be

[@kathyteague829]

lol,it’s like a box of chocolates! You never know what you are going to get! Forrest Gump😊

[@pravinsharma3816]

When is the next Pov phone photography video coming?😅😅

[@MicaelWidell]

Might be a while

[@auautv1359]

hay qua

[@CarlosHernandez-kg8py]

The Italian town in Cinque Terre is Vernazza, not Monterroso.

[@MicaelWidell]

Cinque Terre means “five lands” and it is five towns, of which one is Monterosso.

[@CarlosHernandez-kg8py]

@@MicaelWidell But the picture of the town you showed was Vernazza.

[@MicaelWidell]

@@CarlosHernandez-kg8py yes correct. And yes it would have been ideal and even more congruent if I had used a photo of Monterosso. Sorry but I couldn’t find one.

[@MegaWhyKey]

i try macro but haha, all my pics are trash, i try from 3-14:1 makro and yeah haha i never give up to make photos like u and other youtubers :D they are so colorful, maybe here in germany insects are mainly very death ugly optic designed hahah so i must make only death and ugly style pics? l0l warum muss ich den tod gerade ins auge blicken :D

[@berciusamu]

Xorides fuligator is a parasitoid wasp from Ichneumonid family

[@seanaidan4577]

the golden hour is an hour long 🙂

[@MicaelWidell]

If the sun is not shaded by clouds :)

[@gearreallydoesntmatter]

It’s actually 4 hours 👍